2006-06-29 08:52:02 · 10 answers · asked by thtsmissbich2u 1 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Other - General Health Care
Have you been diagnosed by a neurologist? If you are getting migraines that are seriously affecting your life, you should see a neurologist to ensure that they are migraines. Different types of headaches have different treatments (stress headaches, tension headaches, cluster headaches, etc), so a diagnosis is incredibly important in treatment. Remember that a bad headache here or there does not make it a migraine. A migraine is a specific disorder - it is not just a bad headache. I wish that more people understood this.
Most headaches are the constriction of blood vessels - that's why caffeine can help them. Migraines are the exact opposite. The blood vessel swells and presses on the brain and various regions. They can last for days. Using vasodiltors can make migraines worse.
There are many prophylactic treatments for migraines, if you get them frequently enough to warrant such treatments. Your neurologist would be able to help you decide if one is right for you.
Eating well, avoiding caffeine and other know triggers can help you to prevent them. Drinking plenty of water and having regularly spaced meals can also help - your body chemistry doesn't get out of whack then and an out of whack body chemistry could trigger a migraine. Magnesium supplements can help some people. If your migraines are stress triggered, consider taking up meditation or yoga. Regular exercise can also help by keeping the blood flowing in a healthy manner.
There are also dozens of 'reactive' treatments that can help to lessen the migraine quickly. The triptans - Imitrix, Maxalt, etc may be able to help you get back to life easier.
If you are light sensitive, a cold pack, especially one that contains essential oils like lavender can help you relax by covering your eyes with it.
If things like Motrin and Excedrin are helping or curing your headache, then you aren't suffering severe migraines and they should be managed with those medicines. If you suffer from severe migraines (loss of vision, confusion, numbness, severe light sensitivity, mood swings, severe radiating pain, severe nausea), you should actually avoid any medication (like excedrin) or product (like soda or coffee) with caffeine in it as it can create bounce back headaches. If you are missing days and have no treatment that helps significantly, then you need to see a neurologist. They can help try different meds to get you to the point of less frequent migraines or less severe.
Topomax should be a last resort in most people with moderate migraines. The side effects can be quire severe (numbness and tingling in extremeties, confusion, anorexia, nausea, vision difficulties, interference with Birth Controls, loss of balance, etc).
To find out your triggers, keep a headache diary. It will help you to narrow down the causes. If your headaches shift in frequency or intensity, call your neurologist right away.
2006-06-29 09:03:17 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I get migraines all the time. I have found that a nice dark and quiet room helps. However, if you have kids like me, I have 4 and three of those are 4 and under, you don't get much of a chance to have quiet. I take Excedrin Tension Headache. I used to take the Excedrin Migraine but found out that you can only take one dose in 24 hours and sometimes my migraine would come back before then. Then I had to suffer until I could take something again. The tension formula you can take more often if your migraine comes back but I have found it usually doesn't come back after that. Good Luck!
2006-06-29 09:01:26 · answer #2 · answered by Mawyemsekhmet 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I get frequent migraines and I have found out that Excedrine Migraine really helps. Also, a dark cool room will help relieve it a little. Lay down in a dark, cool room and let all thoughts go away. If you have to, take a small nap. But when you get these headaches, the best thing to do is relax.
2006-06-29 08:56:52 · answer #3 · answered by ddevilish_txnfml 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check out www.headacheprevention.com
Not a substitute for seeing your doctor, since we don't exactly know what causes migraines, and they're caused by different things, but this is something that may help.
2006-06-29 08:57:13 · answer #4 · answered by LA_kinda_guy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I used to get them and honestly they suck I know... I used to take two pamprin and take a nap in complete dark for about two hours and it help, cold compress on your forehead and over your eyes while you nap can help as well or get a bag of like frozen corn or peas and put a light towel around it, it stays cold longer. Excedrin tensions suprisingly helps too...I had tried several other migraine medicines before I figured out that Pamprin and that excedrin help...Hope this helps you out....
2006-06-29 08:56:19 · answer #5 · answered by Kymmi 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If everything else is tried, and nothing works, get checked out for high insulin. It may sound wacky, but the stuff I've read about high insulin indicates it can imbalance other bio chemicals making pain worse.
2006-06-29 08:56:29 · answer #6 · answered by Pegasus90 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the only releif i have found is lying in a dark room, face covered with absolutely no sound. and despite the pain, do your best to relax. hope that helps.
2006-06-29 08:59:15 · answer #7 · answered by lea 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
some doctors are now using "topamax" for this, ask your doctor. i wish there were a cure!
2006-06-29 09:02:29 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
masturbation
2006-06-29 09:02:14 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
motrin 800....works for me.
2006-06-29 08:55:57 · answer #10 · answered by uma 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋